The paper contains a review of coleopteran genera known from Baltic, Bitterfeld and Rovno amber localities. Altogether 420 genera (191 extinct and 229 extant) from 78 families are listed from these three Lagerstätten (as of 7 March 2017). The listed beetles were analyzed zoogeographically and distributional maps for 72 genera were compiled. One-quarter (56) of the genera that have survived since the Eocene have cosmopolitan ranges at present; 35 extant genera have been extripated from the Palaearctic since the Eocene. Approximately 40% of beetle genera from the middle-upper Eocene European ambers can be encountered in the wild in present-day Europe, while 5 of these genera are supposed to be European relict endemics originating in Fennosarmatia. The general similarity of the Baltic amber (s.l.) beetle assemblage to modern south Palaearctic fauna is the strongest, the Nearctic elements are more numerous in the middle-upper Eocene European ambers than the Oriental taxa. The simplified Mutual Climatic Range (MCR) method was used for palaeoclimate reconstruction based on fossil beetles. The coleopteran assemblage of Baltic amber is interpreted as indicative of warm temperate, humid, equable climate with reduced thermal seasonality [annual average temperatures range from +10–20˚C; mean of the coldest month temperatures around +10˚C; mean of the hottest month temperature around +20–24˚C; annual precipitation around 750–1500 mm]. The primary importance of high humidity for existence of the Eocene biota is pointed out.
Waidelotus hoffeinsorum gen. et sp. nov. is described from Eocene Baltic amber and assigned to Waidelotinae subfam. nov. within family Pyrochroidae (Coleoptera). The new subfamily differs from the other subfamilies by the following combination of features: penultimate tarsomere of all tarsi deeply bilobed, antepenultimate tarsomere of each pro- and mesothoracic tarsus slightly bilobed, antepenultimate tarsomere of metathoracic tarsi slightly widened apically; pronotum laterally margined in basal half; eyes emarginate; pretarsal claws appendiculate; prosternal intercoxal process incompletely separating prothoracic coxae; pronotum with fine posterior submarginal groove; head without distinct constriction behind eyes; posterior pronotal pits absent; and elytral pubescence homogenous. It is the only authentic species of Pyrochroidae (Coleoptera) from Baltic amber, pending final placement of Palaeopyrochroa crowsoni Abdullah, 1965. Additionally, the available data on stratigraphy of amber-bearing strata on the Sambian peninsula, and the age and location of Eocene amberiferous forests are discussed. A middle Eocene (mostly Bartonian) age is interpreted for the extinct Central European resin-producing forests resulting in the Sambian amber deposits.
Based on six relatively well-preserved specimens from Eocene Baltic amber, Crepidodera tertiotertiaria sp. nov. is described. The new species is illustrated and compared with morphologically similar extant and fossil relatives. It is the third described fossil species of Crepidodera Chevrolat. In addition to the new taxon, new fossil records of C. decolorata Nadein & Perkovsky from Baltic and Bitterfeld amber are presented. A key to species of Crepidodera described from fossil resins is provided, and a checklist of Coleoptera described from Bitterfeld amber is compiled.
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